Spring-leaf separator.



C. W. WINTHER. SPRING LEAF SE PABATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 22, IBIS.

' Patented Aug. 21, 1917.

INVENTOR. c. m w/NTHER WITNESSES.-

' Hi6 ATTORNEYS.

STATES NITE nnion.

onia'is'rmn .w. WINTHER, or rnnsno, CALIFORNIA.

I I SPRING-LEAF SEPABATOR.

Application filed June 22, 1916. Serial No. 105,151.

To. all whom it may concern: I Y

Be it lmown, thatI, CHRISTIAN W. WIN- THER, a citizen'of the United States, and a resident of Fresno, county of Fresno, State of'California, have invented a new and useful Spring-Leaf Separator, of which the following is a specification. v My invention relates to an apparatus for separating the leaves of a leaf spring.

An object of my invention is to provide means wherewith the leaves of a leaf spring can be separated for the purpose of applying a lubricant thereto and for. other purposes.

The invention possesses other features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of my invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the showing made by the said drawings and description, as I may adopt variations of the preferred form within the scope of my invention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the spring leaf separator showing its application to a spring.

Fig. 2 is a top view of the separator.

Leaf springs are more efficient in absorbing shocks, and squeaking is avoided if the leaves are lubricated at intervals. The lubricant is best applied if the leaves are separated from each other, and it is an object of this invention to provide means for accomplishing the separation of the leaves so that lubricant can be inserted therebetween.

My spring leaf separator comprises an L- shaped bar having a threaded arm 2 and an arm 3 at right angles to the threaded arm. Upon the threaded portion of the bar is mounted a stop or jaw 4 which may be adjusted longitudinally of the bar by turning thereon.

The stop 4 extends outwardly from the bar and terminates in a blunt wedge 5, lying in a plane preferably substantially parallel to the arm 2 of the bar.

Upon the arm 3 of the bar, the jaw 7 is pivotally mounted. On each side, the jaw 7 is formed with wedge shaped projections 8 having a portion 12, the plane of which is substantially parallel to the bottom surface 8". It will be seen that a swinging movement of the jaw .7 causes one orthe other of I the wedges 8 tov approach the wedge shaped stop or jaw 4.. The proportions and sizes of the parts are such that the wedges 8 lie in substantially. the same planewith the wedge-shaped end 5 of the jaw 4. That endof the aw. 7 which is adapted to abut against the spring is preferably rounded in the form of a sem1-c1role,'the center being the/axis of. the pivot upon which the jaw swings.

Means are provided for swinging the jaw 7 An extension 1 1 of the jaw is provided "'Wlbll an aperture in which the shank 16 of the handle 18 is adapted to fit. The shank 16 of the handle is slidable longitudinally in the aperture in the jaw 7 and the shank is long, so that the position of the handle 18 with respect to the jaw may be suited to conditions surrounding the spring and the handle may be turned without engaging other structural elements of the vehicle. The shank may be inserted into the aperture from above or below, depending upon surrounding obstacles.

Operation: It will be assumed that a leaf spring 21 is to be parted at A, Fig. 1, so that lubricant can be applied to the contacting surfaces. With the pivoted jaw in the position shown, the adjustable jaw a is screwed upon the bar until the wedge 5 is as close as possible to the spring 21. By means of the handle 18, the jaw 7 is then turned in either direction to drive one of the wedges 8 between the two leaves which it is desired to separate. The jaw is turned until the portion 12 is forced between the leaves, when there is no tendency to force out the wedge, and the lubricant is easily inserted. The wedge 5 is made blunt so that immediately the wedge 8 is swung back out of the spring, the two leaves of the spring close with no tendency to hang on the wedge 5. The edges of the leaves abut against the rounded portion of the jaw 7 so that the wedge 8 may be completely withdrawn from between the leaves.

Since the handle shank 16 can be inserted from either side of the jaw 7, and is slidable in its socket, and since the jaw 7 may be turned in either direction, it is comparatively easy to avoid any reach rods or projecting parts of the vehicle which would otherwise interfere with the operation of the device.

I claim: A 1. A sprlng leaf separator comprising a bar, an adjustable stopupon 'said' loar, a"

wedge-shaped jaw pivotally mounted on said bar and a handle slidably arranged upon said pivotally mounted j aw, and having one of its arms extendingxoutwardly in a direction substantially parallel with said bar. v8. A spring leaf separatoreomprising a bar a'wed ge-shaped stop adjustably mounted on said bar and having an end rounded ooncentrio with the center; of said pivot, wedge-shaped pro ectlons arranged one on either side of said rounded end, whereby turning said jaw upon saidpivot causes: one

sa id wedge-shaped projections 'to approaohsaid wedge-shaped stop, and means adjustably attached 'to "said pivoted jaw for turning it upon its pivot.

4. Asp"r'1ng leaf separator comprislng a 1' 'b'a'r,"a wedge shaped stop adjustably mounted on said "bar, a jaw pivotally mounted on said bar ina plane parallel thereto and having wedge shaped projections thereon whereby a swinging movement,ineitherdireotion causs'one of said projections. to approaoh said" adjustable jaw, and means for swinging said pivoted jaw.

In testimony whereofjl have hereunto s et my hand jat Frlesno, California, this 14th 35 day of June, 1916. I L H CHRISTIAN WV. WINTHER. In presence of j I ABAM CHAN ESI N, MiNNIE SULLENGER.

ca i'g iof be obtained for. fi ve c eiits eaehjlb'y ad iires si lig tljle Comnii s Si'oflef ti at ifts,

' Washington, D. G. 

